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Sunday, 10 July 2016

The Croquis Template for Fashion Illustrators

How to Draw the
Fashion Figure for Dress Design Illustration

A guide on how
to sketch the fashion form for those who wish to present their dress designs in
a portfolio.

Having fantastic
ideas for dress designs is no good if the artist fails to come to grips with
the proportions of the fashion figure. With such guesswork, the fashion design
sketch is unlikely to impress.

The Fashion Croquis

The
Beginners Guide to Drawing the Fashion Form

The idealized
figure, upon which, fashion illustrators drape their dress designs on, is also
known as a “croquis.” The word “croquis” comes from the French word, meaning,
“to sketch.”

Drawing
the Idealized Human Form Made Simple

The croquis is a
means of communicating fashion concepts via an idealized fashion form. This
form, which can be made into male or female, measures nine to ten heads high. A
normal human, measures seven to eight heads high. The legs are elongated for
effect, but the proportions between the head and crotch, retains realism with
the human form.

How
to Sketch the Fashion Form Step-by-step

Fashion Croquis Skeleton

The proportions
of the fashion figure are easy to remember and the instructions easy to follow,
but practice will make perfect.

Draw a straight
line for the central axis of the figure.

Divide the line
into nine equal segments.

Number each line
from one to ten. See Fig.

The
Croquis Head and Torso

Draw an inverted
egg shape for the head within the top segment.

Draw the
shoulder line halfway between lines two and three.

Make the
shoulder line two head lengths wide and center it on the axis.

The
Lower Abdomen and Crotch

For the waist,
draw a line at line fours.

Make the waist
one head length wide and center it on the axis.

Form an inverted
triangle by bringing it to just below line five.

The
Arms

Drape the upper
arms (shoulder to elbow) from shoulder to waist.

Bring the lower
arms (elbow to wrist) from the waist to the crotch.

The hands are
three-quarters the head in length. Attach to the wrists so that they drape half
way down the thigh.

The
Legs and Feet

Bring each leg
from the edge of the lower triangle to line ten.

The knees should
be at line seven.

The feet should
be half a head in length as viewed from the front.

Fleshing
out the Fashion Figure

Adding the curvy
contours around the skeleton of the fashion form requires a little practice.
Studying fashion figures in magazines with improve the drawing technique. This
will help acquire a feel for this final process.

Masculinity can
be suggested by slightly broader shoulders and a little narrowing of the hips.
The facial features will be more angular than the female features. Facial
features should remain simplistic and suggestive, but could provide a signature
to the individual artist.

Postures
of the Fashion Form Sketch

Arms and legs
can be pivoted to suggest different postures, and the proportions will be
retained, for example, standing legs akimbo, or legs apart. The angle of the
shoulders and the hips can be angled to suggest jauntiness. However, the
proportions will not apply if there is any foreshortening effect, for example
if any of the limbs are pointing towards or away from the viewer.

The
Perfect Fashion Design Figure for Dress Designs

The croquis is an
idealized version of the human figure that is not a realistic version of the
human form. The exaggerated proportions serve as a suitable blank canvas onto
which a fashion illustrator may demonstrate their fashion concepts. Becoming
familiar with the proportions and in drawing the fashion form, the designer
will enhance the appearance of their portfolio and increase their chances of
being commissioned within the fashion industry.

This blog offers art challenges for oils, alkyds, acrylics, watercolors, pastels and crafts for all ages which might be used for developing artists or as lesson plan ideas for teachers. I have a BA in Fine Art and a PCET in teaching. I have condensed my teaching experience within my book ‘How do I Inspire my Art Class? I have also written other books on oil painting. Read more about this blog.